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GradDip (NFQ Level 9)

This course is available through the following application route(s)

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The Graduate Diploma in History is targeted at students who wish to progress to further study, or who wish to develop key transferable skills vital to many and diverse careers.  It is designed for students coming to history from a non-cognate subject, those who did not live up to their potential in their BA, as well as those returning to education after a long period of absence.  We value and promote a strong work ethic, intellectual curiosity, and the importance of independent learning.  These values are instilled within a robust but supportive environment, with a particular focus on encouraging an awareness of broad historiographical trends and the development of the skills required to assess and analyse different forms of primary evidence. 

The learning environment stresses the importance of resesarch, critical and analytical thinking, and of making informed challenges to prevailing ideas, interpretations and approaches.  Small group seminars are vital to the programme's design; it is here, in a very structured and active learning environment where students hone their ability to present, defend and question historical knowledge.

The learning trajectory is supported through the use of weekly research journals, presentations, essays and book reviews.  The taught elements of the programme are intended to build and develop the skill set and confidence of learners to equip them to undertake the research project.  A feature of the Graduate Diploma Programme is that students who perform strongly in the first semester can apply to be transferred to one of the related MA programmes listed below.  The MA is completed within the same academic year.

 

 

About This Course

Full-time Graduate Diploma students will take (1) Renaissance Europe, a module that develops your awareness of historiography and the critical skills needed for graduate-level history (2) a core module from the suite  of MA programmes offered in the School of History (3) Project Development, a course designed to devise and make preparations for your final research project (4) A further 10 credit MA option and (5) The Graduate Diploma Project, normally a dissertation of around 8,000 words.  Part-time Graduate Diploma students will spread the programme over two years, but will take Renaissance Europe and Project Development in the first semester of their first year. 

Programme Outcomes include:

  • Ability to survey in a critical and analytical fashion the historiography of given subjects
  • Awareness of a number of major historiographical trends since the nineteenth century.
  • Development of a strong work ethic and awareness of the effort required to succeed at graduate level.
  • Drive to work independently but to thrive on and respond to the feedback of peers and the teaching staff within a structured environment.
  • The ability to survey a body of scholarship written over time, to offer an informed critical and analytical commentary, and to identify fertile areas for further research.
  • The ability to take an embryonic idea for a research project and develop it into a successful 8,000-word piece of scholarship. A range of skills will be required, including: planning, historiographical awareness, analytical ability to handle primary sources, & ability to communicate findings.
  • The confidence to work with and handle a range of primary sources, especially those relevant to the chosen research subject of the learner.

 

Some graduates of the Graduate Diploma go on to develop their academic careers, applying for places on MA programmes or teacher training programmes. However, many more see the Graduate Diploma as a valuable addition to their undergraduate qualification – a fourth year in which to deepen critical analytical abilities which are valued so highly by employers.

 

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
 HIS41910 Renaissance Europe Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 HIS42920 Project Development Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
 HIS42930 Research Project Spring  20
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option Module:
 HIS41780 Origins of Modern Diplomacy Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option Module:
 HIS41840 Approaches to the Middle Ages Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option Module:
 HIS42390 Global Revolutions Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option Module:
 HIS42660 Historiography and Historical Debate in Twentieth-century Ireland Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option Module:
 HIS42690 Delving into the Archives Autumn  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option Module:
 HIS41850 Approaches to the MiddleAges II Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option Module:
 HIS42490 Landscape and Environment in Ireland, 1500-1800 Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option Module:
 HIS42590 De Valera's Ireland Spring  10
Stage 1 Options - A)2 of:
Option Module:
 HIS42940 Body, Disease and Society Spring  10

History (Z160) Full Time
EU          fee per year - € 7180
nonEU    fee per year - € 15070

History (Z161) Part Time
EU          fee per year - € 4290
nonEU    fee per year - € 7540

***Fees are subject to change

The Graduate Diploma programme is aimed primarily at students who have an undergraduate qualification in a non-cognate discipline or students who are returning to education after a long period of absence

 An NFQ Level 8 degree is required but applications are assessed on a case by case basis. 

You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

Part Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EEA) applicants: Yes


The Graduate Diploma programme is aimed primarily at students who have an undergraduate qualification in a non-cognate discipline or students who are returning to education after a long period of absence.


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General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to History:

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Z160
History
Graduate Diploma

Full-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
Apply
showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt
Z161
History
Graduate Diploma

Part-Time
Commencing September 2025
Graduate Taught
Apply
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